Last Updated on December 28, 2022
College of Arts & Architecture
General Requirements
College of Arts and Architecture:
Majors in the College of Arts and Architecture are started and completed at Penn State University Park.
(Unless otherwise noted.)
For information on application requirements and guidelines for the Visual and Performing arts please refer to artsandarchitecture.psu.edu/howtoapply.
Tuition Advisory
Please be advised that a student’s tuition will increase when the Penn State transcript reflects 59.1 cumulative credits. Credits earned from tests, like AP or IB exams, are considered transfer credits and are included in the cumulative credit total. If the credits you are transferring or have transferred to Penn State place you above 59.1 cumulative credits after the start of the semester, your tuition will increase immediately. You will receive a bill for the additional tuition on the first day of the following month. For more information, visit the Office of the Bursar’s websiteActing BFA (ACTNG_BFA)(Start and Finish: University Park)Fall admission only.Requires interview/audition.
Arts and Architecture application requirementsArchitecture (BARCHBARCH)(Start and Finish: University Park):Fall admission only. Requires submission of portfolio and college transcript(s) by February 15. Application and portfolio submission deadline is February 15.
Arts and Architecture application requirements
The five-year professional program leads to the bachelor of architecture degree and contains intensive academic studies in architectural and related subjects.
The major provides for the education of architects at the professional and preprofessional levels. This program prepares those who seek careers as practicing architects. It is also professional preparation for those entering related design fields. Graduates holding a bachelor of architecture first professional degree are eligible, after appropriate internship experience, for admission to the professional state licensing examination and subsequent registration as architects.Art (ARTBA_BA)(Start and Finish: University Park)Requires submission of portfolio.
Arts and Architecture Application RequirementsArt B.F.A. (ARBFA_BFA)(Start and Finish: University Park)Requires submission of portfolio.
Arts and Architecture Application RequirementsArt Education (AED_BS)(Start and Finish: University Park)Requires submission of portfolio, and > 3.0 GPA
Arts and Architecture Application RequirementsArt History (ARTH_BA)(Start at any campus and Finish: University Park)No additional requirements.Digital Arts and Media Design (IDS_BDES)(Start at any campus and Finish: University Park)Requires submission of portfolio.
Arts and Architecture Application RequirementsDigital Multimedia Design (DIGMD_BDES)(Start at any Commonwealth campus and Finish: World Campus)No additional requirements.Graphic Design (GD_BDES)(Start and Finish: University Park):Fall admission only. Requires submission of portfolio. Application and portfolio submission deadline is February 15
Arts and Architecture Application RequirementsIntegrative Arts (INART_BA)(Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)Requires submission of Integrative Arts proposal.
Arts and Architecture Application RequirementsLandscape Architecture (LARCH_BLA)(Start and Finish: University Park)Fall admission only. Requires submission of an essay, and college transcript(s) by February 15 to assure full consideration. Submissions after that date will continue to be considered until the class is filled.
Arts and Architecture Application Requirements
The five-year Landscape Architecture program leads to a professionally accredited bachelor of landscape architecture degree.
Landscape architecture is the art of design, planning, or management of the land and of the natural and built elements upon it. As an academic discipline, it embodies creative, cultural, philosophical, and scientific knowledge bases. As a professional discipline, the practice of landscape architecture includes site design, urban design, master planning, community planning, regional planning, resource conservation, and stewardship.Music B.A. (MUSBA_BA)(Start and Finish: University Park)Fall admission only.Requires audition.Recommended filing date February 1.
Arts and Architecture application requirementsMusic B.M. (MUSBM_BMA)(Start and Finish: University Park)Fall admission only. Requires audition. Recommended filing date February 1.Information about School of Music audition requirements
Arts and Architecture application requirementsMusic Education (MUED_BME)(Start and Finish: University Park)Fall admission only.Requires 3 credits general psychology, 3 credits developmental psychology, and credits in musicianship, theory, music history, or performance, and > 3.0 GPA. Requires audition. Recommended filing date February 1.
Arts and Architecture application requirementsMusical Arts (MUBMA_BMA)(Start and Finish: University Park)Fall admission only.Requires audition. Recommended filing date February 1.
Arts and Architecture application requirementsMusical Theatre (THRMT_BFA)(Start and Finish: University Park):Fall admission only.Requires interview/audition.Information about Musical Theatre audition requirements
Arts and Architecture application requirementsProfessional Photography (PHOTO_BDES)Start and Finish at University ParkRequires submission of portfolio.
Arts and Architecture Application RequirementsTheatre B.A. (THRBA_BA)(Start and Finish: University Park)Fall admission only.Requires interview/audition.
Arts and Architecture application requirementsTheatre B.F.A. (THRFA)(Start and Finish: University Park)Fall admission only.Requires interview/audition.
Arts and Architecture Application Requirements
ARCHITECTURE, B.ARCH.
Program Code: BARCHBARCH ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE
At which campus can I study this program?
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Department of Architecture is a member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture and the Bachelor of Architecture degree is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. The major provides for the education of architects at the professional and pre-professional levels.
“In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees:
- the Bachelor of Architecture,
- the Master of Architecture, and
- the Doctor of Architecture.
A program may be granted a 8-year, 3-year, or 2-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.
Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.”
The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Architecture offers the following NAAB-accredited degree program:
B.Arch. (162 undergraduate credits)
Next accreditation visit for the B.Arch. accredited degree program: 2023 (anticipated)
(Excerpt from NAAB Conditions for Accreditation)
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE
The professional program (BARCH) is a five-year curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Architecture degree requiring 162 credits. It prepares those who seek careers as practicing architects. It also provides professional preparation for those who wish to enter related design fields. Graduates of the Bachelor of Architecture program are eligible, after appropriate internship experience, to sit for the Architect Registration Examination. Successful completion of all parts of the Architect Registration Examination is required for registration as an architect. The Bachelor of Architecture curriculum includes coursework in architectural design, history, theory, structural systems, building materials, environmental control systems, visual communications, professional practice, and systems integration. Supporting courses provide students with the flexibility to explore a range of interests, develop concentrations, or pursue minors. An approved semester abroad is also a requirement of the program. All students admitted to the University in the Department of Architecture are enrolled in the five-year professional program leading to the Bachelor of Architecture degree.
Students may elect to leave Penn State after completing the requirements of the four-year (ARCBS) program and receive the Bachelor of Science degree.
WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE?
The study of architecture is a broad endeavor combining the arts and humanities with engineering, science, and technology. It is a global study – from piazzas in Italy to rural contexts to information networks spanning physical and virtual domains. As creative designers, architects reflect the history, philosophy, dreams, habits, and values of a culture through buildings and spaces. Architects create responsible solutions to the needs of clients and the natural circumstances of sites. The profession spans the classical to the cutting-edge, and studying architecture encourages exploration across a range of interests, and provides flexibility to develop academic concentrations or pursue minors. The architecture studio is a laboratory in which design synthesizes history, theory, structural systems, building materials, environmental control systems, visual communications, professional practices, and systems integration.
YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS PROGRAM IF…
- You’re fascinated by the intersection of spaces, cultures, history, and people
- You think deeply and love to create
- You’re compelled by art, technology, and the environment
- You like formulas and experimentation
- You want to impact society
- You are self-motivated and enjoy the balance of teamwork and working independently
- You honor tradition while inventing novel practices
- You welcome responsibility
- You think and act with precision
- You take risks
- You want to explore, discover, and invent
